Bored and looking for the best survival board games to play with family and friends? Maybe you’ve watched almost every post-apocalyptic movie out there and want something else to do that is both fun and in the survival/prepper genre.
The board game market is quite different than when I was a kid. There’s an entire sub-market now for niche board games, specialty games with unique twists and themes. It’s relatively easy now for people to come up with a game idea, go onto Kickstarter’s table top games section, and try to get their idea funded. Doom & Bloom did this with their Survivor game (no longer available).
These niche games, as you can imagine, typically come at a premium price. They’re limited run games so they can’t reach the same economy of scale that Monopoly might get. Limited run does not mean low quality, however. My experience has shown just the opposite, that these games are actually higher quality than mass produced games. Regardless, I’ve tried to provide a mix of games in the list below. Some you’ve inevitably heard of before, others – probably not.
Best Survival Board Games for a Quarantine
#10 – Last Night on Earth
Zombies! They provide great entertainment and escapism (perfect for a quarantine). Last Night on Earth is a fast-paced game where hero players must try to survive by working together to make it through the night. The zombie players control the waves of undead that are growing across the entire town. This game is so popular it comes with expansion sets for people who just can’t quite get enough braaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnssssss!
- Last Night on Earth is a fast-paced game of brain-eating Zombies, small town Heroes, and horror movie action. Players take on the role of either the Heroes or Zombies. To survive, Hero players must work together and use their cunning and ingenuity (as well as a bit of luck) to make it through the night, while the Zombie players control unending waves of undead, spreading over the town to feed their hunger.
- With a cast of horror movie archetype Heroes and hordes of bloodthirsty Zombies, each Scenario is designed to play out like the plot of a movie; desperate Heroes racing against time to accomplish their goals... sometimes it’s as simple as just trying to live through the night. So put down that popcorn, grab your shotgun, and hide your brain - the Zombies are coming and this could be your Last Night on Earth!
- This 10 Year Anniversary Edition includes a complete and updated version of the classic Last Night on Earth, as well as several new additions! The Experience System and Fire Rules, first introduced in the Timber Peak Expansion, have been integrated into the original game, as well as some new Zombie cards, Hero cards, a new set of Upgrade cards, and a brand new scenario “Broken Down”!
- A brand new Comprehensive Rulebook, featuring an updated version of the rules, as well as all of the Web Scenarios and Expansion Rulebooks released so far into one volume, collecting 10 years of survival horror! This set features plastic miniatures for most counters, including Wounds, XP, Fire, Old Betsy, Spawning Pits, Gas Markers, and even the classic Old Truck! Re-mastered and expanded Soundtrack, including new songs!
- All of the classic heroes are included, plus four new playable Hero versions of Townsfolk from the original game.
#9 – Maximum Apocalypse
Maximum Apocalypse is a cooperative game where 1-6 players work together to survive in a post-collapse civilization. The game map is randomly generated, so it’s unique each time. You start by picking a survivor class and then you plan your strategy while working together to rely on each character’s skills. Scout the map, defeat vicious beasts, and avoid deadly traps. If you can find enough gas and get back to your van – you can escape and win. If you’re overwhelmed by the monsters or die of starvation – you lose.
- 1-6 Players can play
- For people Ages 13+
- 45-90 Minutes Playing Time
- A Game by Mike Gnade
#8 – Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle is a little-known, but great game of Cold War survival. The game is limited to two players, but it’s an exceptionally unique game. It simulates the 45-year Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. It recreates that war, so it offers a bit of a history lesson at the same time. Great for plenty of time to kill, the game can run 3-4 hours to complete, so you can start it, then go back to it later. Players move their units and exert their influence. Great reviews accompany this game. Great for ages 13 and up.
- Deluxe Edition
- Relive the cold war and change history
- Quick-playing, low-complexity
- 2 players
- Ages 14+
#7 – Zpocalypse
Another zombie board game. Zpocalypse has a cult-like following. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, 2-4 players start in a fallout shelter and have to move through tunnels and sewers through a transforming board. Scavenge supplies, upgrade your gun, and fight off the zombies. It’s probably the most expensive game in this list, but with a playing time of 100 minutes, a few rounds of the game could make it worth it as you try to burn through the hours of a quarantine day after day after day. It’s not the Apocalypse, it’s the Zpocalypse.
- Zombie Survival Board Game
- Playing Time: 100 minutes
- Ages: 12 and up
- Players: 1 to 4
#6 – Risk
The only way to survive the war is to win the war. Hasbro’s 60th Anniversary Edition of this classic game has over 2,000 reviews – and for good reason. A mix of luck and strategy, you seek global domination against your opponents. The best part of this game – for a quarantine – is that it can go on… and on… and on… but what else do you have to do? Nothing. Remember – take Australia!
- 60th anniversary of the risk game: celebrate 60 years of risk game history with this edition of the board game; it includes premium packaging and game pieces, and unique artwork
- For fans and families: this 60th anniversary edition is the ultimate board game for risk fans; kids ages 10 and up and adults can enjoy playing the game of strategic conquest together
- Classic strategy game: This classic strategic combat game is filled with Betrayal, alliances, and surprise attacks; gameplay from original version of the risk game is included
- 5 ways to play: game guide includes rules for playing original 1957 La conquete du monde version, and 4 other options
- Ultimate risk game edition: celebrate this milestone anniversary with this upscale edition of risk featuring premium packaging, unique art, and game guide highlighting the game's rich history
#5 – The Walking Dead
We’re halfway through our list of the ten best survival board games. Based on the TV series, of course. The Walking Dead board game is a reasonably-priced game where players take on the role of characters from the show. You need to go on supply runs and return to camp before it’s too late. If you die, you come back as a zombie to hunt down the remaining players. The rules are easy to learn. For 1-4 players aged 15+.
- Based on the most watched drama in basic cable history!
- Take on the role of a Survivor from the show, collect supplies, and get back to Camp before it's too late!
- Semi-cooperative gameplay. Help your friends to keep them from turning into Walkers!
- If your Survivor dies, you come back as a Walker and now hunt the living!
- A tense survival boardgame for 1-4 players, ages 15+, with easy to learn rules, and a 45 minute playing time.
#4 – The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Game
Nothing says “survival game” like The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Game. Loved by many, this game challenges players’ survival instincts while simultaneously teaching survival skills in various, somewhat wild scenarios. For example, can you fight off a shark or land an airplane? If you provide the correct answer you move on to an even worse situation. The game has 600 questions for ages 8 and up.
- Worst Case Scenario Survival is suitable for 2 or more players
- ages 12 and up
- playing time 30 minutes Note that this game has been replaced by Worst-Case Scenario - The Game of Surviving Life
#3 – Conflicted: Survive the Apocalypse
The world has come to a bitter end. If you want to survive, you need to think strategically, be cunning, and use your negotiation skills. Conflicted: Survive the Apocalypse is a player versus player game for 2-6 players aged 13 and up. Each player is a leader who needs to find supplies and followers. You build a camp that you have to defend from others. Do you have what it takes to come out on top?
- Brand new game that has just been released!
- Surviving the end of the world with a sense of humor
- Defeat 3 Leaders to win the game or build up 4 camps to win the game.
- Never play the same game twice!
#2 – Axis and Allies
Another classic war survival game. This game has been around for a long while and for good reason. It is a great way to pass a few hours (literally) while simultaneously giving those kids a little World War II history lesson… sort of. Recommended age group is 13-15 years, but having played this game, it’s more the minimum age as this board game is great for college students right on up through adulthood. Axis and Allies Pacific 1940 by Wizards of the Coast is but one of several different variations of the game.
- Includes new ANZAC miniatures as well as new mechanized infantry and anti-aircraft artillery
- Axis & Allies Pacific 1940 can be combined with Axis & Allies Europe 1940 to create the greatest Axis & Allies experience to date
- Both game boards unite to create a massive 70" x 32" playing field that will let you experience the full scale of World War II global conflict
- English (Publication Language)
Bonus – It can actually be combined with Axis and Allies Europe 1940 for even greater game play. Bigger Bonus – They even make Axis & Allies & Zombies!
#1 – Pandemic
Maybe I chose Pandemic as the best survival game in this list because I’m writing this post during the COVID-19 coronavirus quarantine. It seems timely and fitting. You’re members of an elite disease-fighting team working together to contain outbreaks. There are researchers, scientists, dispatchers, quarantine specialists, and medics. You need to simultaneously treat infections while gathering all of the necessary resources to find possible cures. For 2-4 players with a game time of 45 minutes.
- STRATEGY GAME: Players must work together playing to their characters' strengths as they plan their strategy of eradicating the diseases before they overwhelm the world with ever-increasing outbreaks. A truly cooperative game where you win or lose together.
- COOPERATIVE BOARD GAME: Only through teamwork will you keep the world safe from outbreaks and epidemics. Your team must work together and plan carefully to stem the tide of infection while working toward finding the cures.
- WORK TOGETHER AND SAVE HUMANITY: Four diseases threaten the world, and your elite team of specialists must find a cure for each of them before it’s too late. Everyone must work together applying their unique character skills to benefit the team—and the world.
- LOOKING FOR NEW GAMEPLAY AND ADVENTURES? The Pandemic game line now includes multiple expansions and stand-alone titles. Note: Expansions require Pandemic Base Game to play.
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This easy to learn family and adult board game can be played with 2 to 4 players. The average playtime is 45 minutes.
Best Survival Board Addition
In August of 2020 I had the opportunity to review a new-to-me survival board game called The G.O.O.D Game (Get Out Of Dodge). You can read my review by following that link. It is essentially a “bug out” game where the first person to reach the bug out cabin wins. Check it out!
For as popular as survivalism and personal preparedness is, I actually expected to find more games within this genre. While there are others, the top ten list I have here is – what appears to me – the cream of the crop. I’m sure there are others, however. Did I miss one on your list of the best?
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Zombie Choices by Aden Tate